Digital broadcasting system and method of processing data in digital broadcasting system

ABSTRACT

A digital broadcasting system and a method for processing data in the same are disclosed. A method for controlling a digital television (DTV) located in one independent space among a plurality of independent spaces physically separated from one another is disclosed. The method includes receiving a broadcast signal from a management server, processing the received broadcast signal using a hospitality middleware platform embedded in the DTV, and outputting audio/video (A/V) data on the basis of the processed broadcast signal. The hospitality middleware platform may include a switching layer for switching a first layer for processing a broadcast signal based on a broadcast standard of a first region and a second layer for processing a broadcast signal based on a broadcast standard of a second region, a flexible Digital Rights Management (DRM) layer capable of being voluntarily modified, and a downloadable engine layer capable of voluntarily programming an interactive service application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a technology for controlling a RadioFrequency (RF) head end system and a plurality of TV sets in a limitedspace such as a hotel or hospital, and more particularly to a method fortransmitting a signal to a TV set of a specific room from among aplurality of TV sets installed in respective rooms of a hotel orhospital using a multiple access point control system defined in thefollowing description.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Generally, a broadcast receiver receives a data stream including abroadcast signal, extracts a video and audio data stream correspondingto a user desired channel using service information contained in thereceived data stream, and outputs the extracted video and audio datastream to a display device.

However, according to the related art, detailed protocols or methods formore effectively transmitting and processing data to each room of alimited space such as a hotel or hospital are not defined yet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a solution forincorporating a Set Top Box (STB) based on a hardware structure providedfrom each System Integration (SI) company into a middleware platform.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a technology forreplacing the hardware-based STB with the aforementioned middlewareplatform such that it can greatly reduce costs and an amount of humanresources needed for management.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with thepurpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, amethod is provided for controlling a digital television (DTV) located inone independent space among a plurality of independent spaces physicallyseparated from one another, the method including receiving a broadcastsignal from a management server, processing the received broadcastsignal using a hospitality middleware platform embedded in the DTV, andoutputting audio/video (A/V) data on the basis of the processedbroadcast signal. The hospitality middleware platform may include aswitching layer for switching a first layer for processing a broadcastsignal based on a broadcast standard of a first region and a secondlayer for processing a broadcast signal based on a broadcast standard ofa second region, a flexible Digital Rights Management (DRM) layercapable of being voluntarily modified, and a downloadable engine layercapable of voluntarily programming an interactive service application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principle of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a multiple access point control systemaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a multiple access point control systemaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a multiple access point control systemaccording to a yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an access point and a multiple accesspoint control system according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an access point and a multiple accesspoint control system according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an AP card and a DTV according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an AP card and a DTV according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a system for providing anInternet service to each room of a hotel according to one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for generating a uniqueSSID and WEB key value according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing an Internetservice according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing an Internetservice according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing an Internetservice according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows an installation example of AP cards and devices that arelocated in respective rooms of a limited space such as a hotel orhospital according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows a general middleware platform of a DTV according to therelated art.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a hospitality middlewareplatform of a DTV according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. The detailed description, which will be given below withreference to the accompanying drawings, is intended to explain exemplaryembodiments of the present invention, rather than to show the onlyembodiments that can be implemented according to the present invention.

Prior to describing the present invention, it should be noted that mostterms disclosed in the present invention are defined in consideration offunctions of the present invention and correspond to general terms wellknown in the art, and can be differently determined according tointention of those skilled in the art, usual practices, or introductionof new technologies. In some cases, a few terms have been selected bythe applicant as necessary and will hereinafter be disclosed in thefollowing description of the present invention. Therefore, it ispreferable that the terms defined by the applicant be understood on thebasis of their meanings in the present invention.

In accordance with the following embodiments of the present invention, asystem for controlling a multiple access point using a multiple accesspoint control system is proposed. For example, the access point may be apart for providing information to each limited physical space,communicating with devices contained in the physical space, andcontrolling the devices. By means of the multiple access point controlsystem, a specific access point may provide information to a userlocated in a corresponding physical space. In addition, the deviceslocated in the physical space may communicate with a server locatedoutside of the physical space through the access point.

In addition, the term ‘physical space’ is separated from a communicationspace, such as a cell, defined in a wireless field. The cell acting asthe communication space is in the range that is affected by radio wavesfrom a specific base station, such that a user equipment (UE) cancommunicate with a corresponding base station in the above-mentionedrange. However, the access point may be a part for controlling andmanaging a specific physical space or local area (e.g., each room of ahotel or hospital). Although the devices contained in the physical spacecan communicate with an access point of another physical space, thedevices communicate with the access point of the corresponding physicalspace, and as such a detailed example thereof will hereinafter bedescribed.

The multiple access point control system may transfer the sameinformation to a corresponding physical space through a multiple accesspoint, or may transfer different information to individual physicalspaces. The multiple access point control system may control the accesspoint at a remote site such that information suitable for a user of aphysical space including the access point can be independently provided.In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the serverof the multiple access point control system includes a user interfacecapable of allowing a person who controls the server to easily controlthe multiple access point.

The access point may be arranged at a specific position of each physicalspace. In order to easily provide information to the user, the accesspoint may be configured in the form of a card, such that it can beinserted into a television or a set-top box. In accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention, the card-type access point designedto be inserted into a television or set-top box may also be abbreviatedto an AP. In the case where the AP card is inserted into the television,the user can recognize information to be transmitted through the AP cardby viewing the television.

Such a system may be located at a variety of places, for example, ahotel, a hospital, a school, a prison, etc. For convenience ofdescription and better understanding of the present invention, it isassumed that the above-mentioned system is located at a hotel such thatthe multiple access point and a control system thereof are operated inthe hotel. However, the scope and spirit of the present invention arenot limited thereto, and the present invention is also applicable toother examples.

In the case of the hotel, a user lodges in the hotel, such that the usercan view content such as broadcast content through a TV. If contentprovided to a user of a room through the TV is pay-per-view content, anaccounting system connected to the TV can charge a usage fee touser-viewed content. However, a driving circuit associated with theaccounting system is installed in each TV. If there is a need to upgradea corresponding system, a hotel administrator who uses the related artmust upgrade TV systems installed in all rooms, resulting in greaterinconvenience of use.

In addition, since administrating all rooms is manually carried out bythe hotel administrator, a large hotel having many rooms consumes anunnecessarily long period of time and great cost to manage such rooms.

With the increasing number of guests or lodgers who use wirelesscommunication, there are many cases wherein a wireless communicationnetwork is installed in each floor of a hotel. However, there is adifficulty in providing enough bandwidth for all guests of respectivefloors to easily use the wireless communication network, such that itcauses greater inconvenience to a guest or administrator of a hotel.

In the case of an old hotel, a hotel history may be considered to be abrand value of the hotel. In order to provide each room of the hotelwith a control system, a communication system, and another system thatallows individual services to be executed in all rooms, a large amountof costs are consumed. If the hotel architecture is changed to anotherto install the above-mentioned systems, the hotel prestige or value maybe greatly deteriorated.

Therefore, according to the following embodiments of the presentinvention; if individual services are provided to users of rooms servingas different physical spaces, and an access point capable of entirelymanaging the rooms is installed in each room, the following embodimentscan solve the above-mentioned problems by controlling only the accesspoint of each room without great modification of a conventional hoteldesign. A multiple access point control system according to oneembodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described withreference to the annexed drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a multiple access point control systemaccording to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1( a) shows aconventional hotel management system. FIG. 1( b) shows a multiple accesspoint control system according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

In accordance with the related art shown in FIG. 1( a), if a hoteladministrator desires to upgrade a system applied to a TV of each room,the hotel administrator has to manually upgrade TVs of all rooms of thehotel. In other words, as shown in FIG. 1( a) illustrating the relatedart, if a device in any one room is wrongly operated or an empty room isbrightly lit, the hotel administrator should directly visit each room soas to correct the incorrect operation of the device or switch off thelight of the empty room.

The above-mentioned inconvenience will hereinafter be described indetail from the economic point of view.

Provided that a cost required for upgrading a TV driving circuit of eachroom once is denoted by ‘a’, the number of rooms is denoted by ‘b’, thenumber of software upgrade times every year is denoted by ‘c’, and alifetime of a TV is denoted by ‘d’, a total cost ‘a×b×c×d’ iscontinuously consumed to maintain such a system.

FIG. 1( b) shows an exemplary case in which a multiple access pointcontrol system controls an access point of each room according to oneembodiment of the present invention. It is assumed that the access pointis configured in the form of a card such that the card-type access pointis inserted into a TV. The hotel administrator controls an access pointcard of each room using a headend (server) connected to a TV of eachroom. The access point card can provide an individual service to a userof each room through a TV under the remote control of a headend. Inaddition, the access point card may communicate with a device of eachroom, or may control a variety of devices installed in each room.

Most hotels include an installation for a Video On Demand (VOD)accounting service for a TV. If an access point card is installed in theTV, each hotel can provide many more services to the user through theaccess point card. Therefore, a multiple access point control system canbe easily installed in the hotel having many physical spaces, and canalso be easily managed and maintained by the hotel administrator.

A variety of services can be provided to a user through the TV havingthe access point card. Exemplary services are as follows. If the userenters the room, a hotel logo is displayed on the TV, and a messageincluding respective user names can be displayed on the TV.

In addition, the hotel notification or the hotel advertisement, etc. canbe displayed on the TV, and travel or transportation information can beprovided to the user. In addition, user desired information ofrespective rooms can be separately provided to individual rooms, and adetailed description thereof will hereinafter be described in detail.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a multiple access point control systemaccording to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2( a)shows a system for allowing a hotel to charge an additional fee througha TV according to the related art. FIG. 2( b) is a diagram illustratinga multiple access point control system according to another embodimentof the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2( a), the hotel administrator asks an externalcontent provider or a system administrator either to manage a server forcontrolling TVs of respective rooms or to provide content. Accordingly,according to the related art, the content provider or the systemadministrator controls and manages not only content, that must beprovided to the user through the TV, but also an accounting system forthe content, and therefore, the TV of each room can provide apay-per-view service to the user of each room.

According to the related art, if the hotel administrator changes apay-per-view service to another service, the hotel administrator cannotdirectly control a detailed description required for the changedservice. In the case of changing the system operation, the hoteladministrator has difficulty in changing such a system operation underthe condition that the hotel administrator sends the external contentprovider no request. In other words, it is next to impossible for thehotel administrator to change or manipulate services provided to eachroom independently from the system administrator.

Referring to FIG. 2( b), the server of the multiple access point systemaccording to another embodiment of the present invention can allow thehotel administrator to directly provide content to a user of each room,and can also allow the hotel administrator to provide differentinformation to the user. For example, the server for use in the multipleaccess point control system may have a Web-based editor. The userinterface of the multiple access point control system can allow thehotel administrator to conveniently manage respective rooms, such thatthe hotel administrator can conveniently provide requirements of eachroom and an individual service that must be provided to each room.

The hotel administrator can edit services provided to each room usingthe user interface and the Web-based editor, such that individual orcommon services can be provided to respective rooms. If the hoteladministrator edits the Web-based editor, the server of the multipleaccess point system can easily transmit an additional message to a userof a specific room, or can transmit specific content to the user. Adetailed description thereof will hereinafter be described in detail.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a multiple access point control systemaccording to yet another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3( a)illustrates a system capable of being applied to each room according tothe related art. FIGS. 3( b) and 3(c) illustrate a multiple access pointcontrol system according to yet another embodiment of the presentinvention.

In the case of most hotels, a cable network is installed in each room asshown in FIG. 3( a). The cable network is connected to a set-top box ofeach room, or provides a VOD service to each room through a VOD serverof the hotel.

For example, if the VOD server transmits an IP packet having videocontent, the IP-to-RF converter converts the IP packet into an RFsignal, and transmits the RF signal to the cable network.

In addition, the set-top box or TV of each room receives the RF signalfrom the VOD server, and displays video content.

Referring to FIG. 3( a), if the user of each room desires to use theInternet or a wireless phone using a notebook computer based on wirelesscommunication, it is necessary for each room to include a routerconnected to the Ethernet network or a wireless communication relaymodule. However, presently, most hotels include only a cable network anddo not include a local area network (LAN) or a wireless communicationnetwork, such that high costs are needed to additionally installcommunication lines.

Recently, some hotels have installed one or two wireless communicationrelay models in each floor so as to provide a wireless communicationservice. However, the user of each room may not often acquire a serviceof a desired bandwidth. As a result, high costs are needed to install anadditional wireless communication relay module in all rooms.

FIGS. 3( b) and 3(c) illustrate a service capable of being providedthrough a multiple access point control system according to yet anotherembodiment of the present invention. A cable network or an Ethernetnetwork is installed in each room of the hotel, and the access pointcard is installed in a TV of each room. The server of the multipleaccess point control system is connected to the IP-to-RF converter andthe router.

However, the embodiment of the present invention may be applied to onecase in which the hotel environment includes the Coax network andanother case in which the hotel environment includes the Ethernetnetwork. If the hotel environment includes the Ethernet network, thehotel server additionally includes the accounting server to charge ausage fee on the VOD viewed, by a user who lodges in the hotel.

In addition, from the viewpoint of a protocol layer, if the hotelenvironment includes the Coax network, Digital Storage Media Command andControl (DSM-CC) is converted into data based on an IP packet, and theIP-packet data is transferred using a cable modem protocol. On the otherhand, if the hotel environment includes the Ethernet network, the DSM-CCis transferred as the IP packet.

In the meantime, the access point card may serve as a wirelesscommunication module that transmits radio waves to a notebook computeror wireless phone of a user of each room. The notebook computer orwireless phone used by the user may communicate with an external serverthrough the AP card, the cable network or the router.

The server of the multiple access point control system may provide videocontent or the like to the user of each room or provide a variety ofservices suitable for the user to the user of each room.

If the AP card is inserted into the television, the AP card may includemiddleware to drive a variety of applications provided to the user. Inaddition, the AP can support the multi-protocol interface, such that itmay be used as an access point of the AP wireless communication or maycontrol devices of respective rooms.

The IP-to-RF converter transmits the IP packet over a cable network, andthe AP card includes the RF-to-IP converter such that it can provide anInternet-based communication service and a multimedia broadcast serviceto the user. The AP card includes general-purpose middlewarestandardized for the application provided to the user. Therefore, theservice provided by the hotel administrator can be displayed on the TVregardless of TV functions. The AP card, that enables respective hotelsto use different content protection functions so as to charge a usagefee for content, includes an operating system that enables variouscontent protection modules to be implemented with software. Therefore,although respective hotels use different content protection functions,content can be transferred to the user through the same AP card, and adetailed description thereof will hereinafter be described in detail.

In the case of a hotel, a user may request a call service for a specifictime from the hotel administrator. In the case of using the multipleaccess point control system, a reserved message may be transferred tothe user through the television.

The AP card may communicate with other devices of each room, and drivethe application supported by the multiple protocol interface, such thatthe user of the room may also control devices of the room through theTV.

The television including the AP card may provide a user interface forenabling the user to control devices of the room. For example, thetelevision including the AP card may display various devices capable ofbeing controlled in each room. The television may display acorresponding room and the positions of devices installed in thecorresponding room.

For example, if the AP card communicates with the curtain controldevice, the user can freely open or close a curtain through the userinterface displayed on the TV.

In addition, when adjusting an air-conditioner or a hygrometer, the userdoes not directly adjust a corresponding device, and can remotelyoperate the user interface displayed on the TV including the AP card.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an access point and a multiple accesspoint control system according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the entire system according to one embodiment ofthe present invention includes a back-office 110, a networkinfrastructure 120, devices and applications 130, etc. The networkmanagement server 115 shown in FIG. 4 carries out functions of themultiple access point control system, and the AP card 131 carries outfunctions of the multiple access point.

For example, the back-office 110 includes a digital headend 111, a mediagateway 112, a gateway 113, application servers 114, a networkmanagement server 115, etc. The back-office 110 may be used to transmitbroadcast data and IP data. For example, the back-office 110 may be abroadcast station or the like.

The network infrastructure 120 may include, for example, a Master DataUnit (MDU), etc. For example, the devices and applications 130 includesan Access Point (AP) card 131, interactive applications (for example,DTV) 132, a laptop 133, a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP) 134, a WiFiphone 135, WiFi CE devices 136, etc.

Specifically, the network management server 115 may be managed by thehotel or the service provider. The network management server 115controls the MDU 121, such that it provides various data to the AP card131 mounted to the DTV 132 of each room of the hotel.

The AP card 131 may transmit and receive data that is associated withVoIP, VOD, 2-way communication, personal area network, etc., and mayprocess such data.

As shown in FIG. 4, the DTV 132 including the AP card 131 may share suchdata with peripheral devices (e.g., 133, 134, 135, 136, etc. of FIG. 4)of the DTV.

In addition, although it is assumed that the MDU 121 is connected to theAP card through a coaxial cable as shown in FIG. 4, the scope and spiritof the present invention are not limited thereto, and the embodiment ofthe present invention may also include another case wherein the networkmanagement server 115 is connected to the AP card 131 over the Ethernet.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an access point and a multiple accesspoint control system according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 5 is a detailed block diagram of the entire system,differently from FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 5, the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) broadcaster201 transmits a DVB signal, the DVB to ATSC Converter 202 converts theDVB signal into an ATSC signal, and the QAM modulator 203 modulates theconverted ATSC signal into a QAM signal.

The VOD server 204 transmits a VOD signal, the IP converter 205 convertsthe VOD signal into the IP signal, and the IP to RF converter 206converts the IP signal into the RF signal.

The Data Server 207 transmits an HTML signal, the HTML to Data converter208 converts the HTML signal into data, and the QAM modulator 209modulates the converted data into a QAM signal.

An AP CARD & RF to IP converter 210 receives the QAM signals from theQAM modulators 203 and 209 and the IP to RF converter 206.

The AP CARD & RF to IP converter 210 may directly transmit the QAMsignal to the DTV 212. If necessary, the AP CARD & RF to IP converter210 may convert the QAM signal into the IP signal, and transmit the IPsignal to the set-top box (STB) 211.

In addition, the DTV 212 may process the QAM signal received from the APCARD & RF to IP converter 210, and the processed signal may be displayedaccording to various display schemes, for example, LCD, PDP, ELD, VFD,etc.

The STB 211 may be connected to the DTV through a cable, for example, anHDMI, DVI, or D-sub cable.

The STB 211 may be connected to the DTV 212 over a wireless network,such as Zigbee, Bluetooth, or Wlan, etc.

Meanwhile, the DVB broadcaster 201, the VOD server 204, and the DataServer 207 may be managed by a broadcast station, a Content Provider(CP), a Service Provider (SP), etc. For example, the DVB to ATSCConverter 202, the IP Converter 205, the HTML to Data Converter 208, theQAM Modulator 203, the IP to RF Converter 206, and the QAM Modulator 209may be managed by a hotel, a hospital, etc. For example, the AP card &RF to IP Converter 210, the STB 211, or the DTV 212 may represent adigital broadcast receiver.

Therefore, in the case of using the system shown in FIG. 5, a hotel notproviding Internet services can easily provide Internet services (e.g.,Internet services received from the VOD server or the Data Server) toguests of each room of the hotel.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an AP card and a DTV according toone embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplarycase in which there is no DTV Ethernet in each room of the hotel. Forexample, the AP card shown in FIG. 6 may serve as the above-mentionedmultiple access point.

Referring to FIG. 6, the AP card 600 includes a variety of modules, forexample, a PCB antenna 601, an AP chipset 602, a homenetwork chipset603, a Coax module 604, an interface 606, a controller 605, a USB 607,etc. As shown in FIG. 6, the DTV 650 includes a variety of modules, forexample, a controller 656, a tuner 651, a demultiplexer 652, a decoder653, an output module 654, a memory 655, a user interface 657, a USB658, etc. However, for better understanding of the present invention,the MDU 121 shown in FIG. 6 may also correspond to the MDU shown in FIG.4 as necessary.

The AP card 600 may be connected to the MDU 121 through the coax line.The controller 605 may copy packets between the AP chipset 602 and thehomenetwork chipset 603. Further, the controller 605 controls the APchipset 602 and the homenetwork chipset 603. For example, thehomenetwork chipset 603 may be a Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA)chipset or a Home Phoneline Networking Alliance (HPNA) chipset, etc.

The AP chipset 602 may control communication with a plurality of devicescontained in each room including the DTV 650. In more detail, the APchipset 602 may provide a wireless Internet service such as WiFi to thedevices.

The homenetwork chipset 603 may convert the RF signal into IP datathrough a cable network (coax) 604. If it is necessary to transmit theIP data to a wireless communication device of each room, the homenetworkchipset 603 may transmit the IP data to the AP chipset 602. Thehomenetwork chipset 603 may convert the IP data received from the APchipset 602 into an RF signal, and transmit the RF signal to the coaxmodule 604. The PCB antenna 601 may be a module that enables severaldevices of each room including the DTV 650 to wirelessly communicatewith the AP chipset 602.

In the meantime, the tuner 650 receives the RF broadcast signal. The USB607 of the AP card 600 may transmit and receive data to and from the USB658 of the DTV 650, for example, large amounts of data for firmware ordata for setting a Service Set Identifier (SSID) may be communicatedbetween the USB 607 and the other USB 658.

The AP card 600 transmits and receives a VoIP signal through, forexample, the AP chipset 602, transmits a VOD signal to the DTV 650through the USB 607, and provides information (e.g., GEM applicationdata, etc.) associated with data broadcast content of the hotel throughthe USB 607. The controller 656 of the DTV 650 controls a tuner 651, ademultiplexer 652, a memory 655, a user interface 657, etc. Thedemultiplexer 652 may demultiplex a video signal, an audio signal, anddata received from either the AP card 600 or the tuner 651.

The decoder 653 may decode the demultiplexed video and audios signalsand the demultiplexed data. The output module 654 may output the decodedvideo and audio signals and the decoded data.

Further, the memory 655 may store some or all information received fromthe AP card 600. The user interface 657 may transmit a user-entrycommand signal to the controller 656.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an AP card and a DTV according toanother embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 illustrates anexemplary case that the DTV contained in each room of the hotel includesthe Ethernet connection. The main concept of FIG. 7 may also beunderstood by referring to FIG. 6 as necessary. For example, the AP cardshown in FIG. 7 may serve as the access point.

Referring to FIG. 7, the AP card 700 includes a plurality of modules,for example, a PCB antenna 701, an AP chipset 702, a first interface(Interface 1) 703, a second interface (Interface 2) 704, etc. Forexample, the DTV 750 includes a plurality of modules, for example, acontroller 756, a tuner 751, a demultiplexer 752, a decoder 753, anoutput module 754, a memory 755, a user interface 757, an interface 758,etc. However, for better understanding of the present invention, thenetwork management server 115 shown in FIG. 7 may also correspond to thenetwork management server shown in FIG. 4.

Differently from FIG. 6, the AP card 700 shown in FIG. 7 receives theEthernet signal from the network management server 115, and the APchipset 702 may communicate with several devices contained in each roomhaving the DTV 750.

In more detail, the AP chipset 702 may provide an Internet service suchas WiFi to several devices. The PCB antenna 701 may be a module thatenables several devices of each room including the DTV 650 to wirelesslycommunicate with the AP chipset 602.

Further, the first interface (Interface 1) 703 is a module fortransmitting and receiving an Ethernet signal to and from the networkmanagement server 115. The second interface (Interface 2) 704 is amodule for transmitting and receiving an Ethernet signal to and from theinterface 758 contained in the DTV 750.

In addition, the controller 756 of the DTV 750 controls a demultiplexer752, a decoder 753, an output module 754, a memory 755, a user interface757, etc. The demultiplexer 752 may demultiplex a video signal, an audiosignal, and data received from the AP card 700.

The decoder 753 may decode the demultiplexed video and audios signalsand the demultiplexed data. The output module 754 may output the decodedvideo and audio signals and the decoded data.

Further, the memory 755 may store some or all information received fromthe AP card 700. The user interface 757 may transmit a user-entrycommand signal to the controller 756.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a system for providing anInternet service to each room of a hotel according to one embodiment ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the master 10 may perform a function of theabove-mentioned multiple access point control system. The AP card mayperform, for example, a function of the multiple access point.

First of all, the embodiment of the present invention discloses a systemfor providing an Internet service installed in a specific place such asa hotel having one or more rooms. Referring to FIG. 8, theabove-mentioned system includes the master connected to the Internet,local slaves 30 and 40, and a management slave 20. The master 10 isconnected to the Internet. The local slaves 30 and 40 are connected tothe master 10 by wire, and are wirelessly connected to personal devices31, 32, 41, and 42 of specific local areas #1 to #K. The managementslave 20 may be connected to the local slaves 30 and 40 through themaster 10.

In the meantime, the master 10 may be, for example, a hotel server or aheadend. The management slave 20 is, for example, a personal computer(PC) installed in a hotel reception area or front desk. The local slave30 or 40 may be, for example, a TV installed in each hotel room.

In addition, as can be seen from FIG. 8, the local slaves 30 and 40 mayinclude a wired/wireless communication unit for communicating with thePCs 31, 32, 41, and 42 (e.g., a laptop computer and a mobile phone) usedby the user who is located at a corresponding local area, and mayfurther include another wired/wireless communication unit forcommunicating with the master 10.

For example, the wireless communication unit may be a WiFi PAN accesspoint module. For example, the wired communication unit may be aMoCA/HPNA module. Meanwhile, the WiFi PAN access point module ismanufactured in the form of a wireless communication chip that canperform wireless communication through the Personal Area Network (PAN)according to the WiFi technology for supporting various wireless networkstandards (e.g., 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g protocols).

In addition, the MoCA/HPNA module is manufactured in the form of a chipusing a telephone line, a power line, or a coaxial cable (Coax). In thiscase, the Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) technology and the HomePhoneline Networking Alliance (HPNA) technology may be applied to themanufactured chip, such that the chip can communicate with the master 10by wire.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for generating a uniqueSSID and WEB key value according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 9, the management slave 20 or the local slaves 30 and40 shown in FIG. 8 generate Pseudo Random Numbers indicating a uniqueService Set Identifier (SSID) and a Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) keyusing two Exclusive-OR gates and a 9-bit shift register.

For example, the SSID is a unique ID N bytes long (e.g., unique ID 32bytes long) added to each header of packets transmitted over a wirelessLAN, and is used like a code or password when connected to wirelessterminals. The SSID may discriminate one wireless LAN from otherwireless LANs. Therefore, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention, all access points or wireless terminals, that desire toaccess a specific wireless LAN, are designed to use the same uniqueSSID.

The WEP encrypts data, that is communicated between an adaptor and anaccess point connected to the wireless LAN, into 64 bits (40+24) or 128bits (104+24), resulting in increased security. According to oneembodiment of the present invention, the WEP key value is used as anencryption key value, and the same WEP key value is assigned to aplurality of communication terminals.

In the meantime, the SSID is configured in the form of a predeterminedunique value that is a combination of a unique number (e.g., a hotelroom number 501) assigned to a specific local area and a name (e.g.,KIM) of a user who uses the specific local area. The WEP key isconfigured in the form of a predetermined unique value that is acombination of a name (e.g., KIM) of a user who uses the specific localarea and a card number (e.g., 4518-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX).

The local slave 30 transmits the SSID to personal devices 31 and 32contained in the corresponding local area (LOCAL AREA #1), and displaysthe WEP key value on the screen. The user may establish the SSID and thekey value in each personal device. Therefore, the personal device inwhich the SSID and the WEP key value are established may receiveInternet service through the local slave and the master, and a detaileddescription thereof will hereinafter be described with reference toFIGS. 10 to 12.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing an Internetservice according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, if a user who desires to lodge in a hotel checksin to the hotel at step S10, a management slave (Slave #0) indicating apersonal computer (PC) located at the front desk of the hotel combines aunique number of a hotel room in which the user will stay with name ofthe user, and generates a unique SSID and a WEP key value at step S11.

The Slave #0 establishes the SSID and the WEP key value in a local slave(Slave #1) connected to the Slave #0 through the master 10 at step S12.For example, the Slave #1 transmits the SSID to the Personal Device #1using a beacon signal at step S13.

If the personal device #1 selects the SSID at step S14, the user mayattempt to access the Internet service. In this case, the personaldevice #1 transmits a connection try command signal to the AP card atstep S15. If the AP card recognizes an Internet service access attemptsignal on the basis of the connection try command signal at step S16,the AP card wakes the DTV contained in the Slave #1 at step S17.

The AP card may transmit the SSID and the WEP key value to the DTV atstep S18, and the DTV may display the WEP key value on the screen atstep S19. The user enters the displayed WEP key value in the personaldevice #1 so as to perform a series of WEP key setup operations at stepS20. Thereafter, the user requests the Internet service, such that thepersonal device #1 can receive the Internet service and the like throughthe local slave (Slave #1) and the master using the established InternetSSID and WEP key value.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing an Internetservice according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

For example, if a user who desires to lodge in a hotel checks in to thehotel at step S30, a management slave (Slave #0) indicating a personalcomputer (PC) located at the front desk of the hotel may transmit aunique number of a hotel room in which the user will stay, the user'sname, the user's resident registration number, or the card number to theAP card of the Slave #1 connected to the Slave #0 through the master 10at step S31.

In the meantime, the AP card combines the unique number of the hotelroom and the user's name, such that it generates a predetermined uniqueSSID using the combined result. The AP card combines the user's residentregistration number and/or the card number, such that it generates apredetermined unique WEP key value at step S32.

The AP card may wirelessly transmit the SSID to the personal device #1using a beacon signal at step S33.

If the personal device #1 selects the SSID at step S34, the user mayattempt to access the Internet service. In this case, the personaldevice transmits a connection try command signal to the AP card at stepS35. If the AP card recognizes an Internet service access attempt signalon the basis of the connection try command signal at step S36, the APcard wakes the DTV contained in the Slave #1 at step S37.

The AP card may transmit the SSID and the WEP key value to the DTV atstep S38, and the DTV may display the WEP key value on the screen atstep S39.

The user enters the displayed WEP key value in the personal device #1 soas to perform a series of WEP key setup operations at step S40.Thereafter, the user requests the Internet service, such that thepersonal device #1 can receive the Internet service through the localslave (Slave #1) and the master using the established Internet SSID andWEP key value.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing an Internetservice according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

For example, if a user who desires to lodge in a hotel checks in to thehotel at step S50, a management slave (Slave #0) indicating a PC locatedat the front desk of the hotel may transmit a unique number of a hotelroom in which the user will stay, the user's name, the user's residentregistration number, or the card number to the AP card of the Slave #1being connected to the Slave #0 through the master 10 at step S51.

The AP card may wake the DTV of the local slave (Slave #1) at step S52,and transmit a unique number of the hotel room, a user name, and auser's resident registration number or a card number to the DTV at stepS53.

The DTV combines the unique number of the hotel room and the user's namesuch that it generates a predetermined unique SSID. In addition, the DTVcombines the user's name, the user's resident registration number,and/or the card number, such that it generates a predetermined uniqueWEP key value at step S54.

The DTV transmits the SSID and the WEP key value to the AP card at stepS55. The DTV automatically enters a power saving mode, i.e., a sleepmode at step S56. The AP card wirelessly transmits the SSID to thepersonal device #1 using a beacon signal at step S57.

If the personal device #1 selects the SSID at step S58, the user mayattempt to access the Internet service. In this case, the personaldevice #1 transmits a connection try command signal to the AP card atstep S59. If the AP card recognizes an Internet service access attemptsignal on the basis of the connection try command signal at step S60,the AP card wakes the DTV contained in the Slave #1 at step S61.

The AP card may transmit a command signal that asks the DTV to displaythe WEP key value to the DTV at step S62, and the DTV may display theWEP key value on the screen at step S63

The user enters the displayed WEP key value in the personal device #1 soas to perform a series of WEP key setup operations at step S64.Thereafter, the user requests the Internet service, such that thepersonal device #1 can receive the Internet service and the like throughthe local slave (Slave #1) and the master using the established InternetSSID and WEP key value.

FIG. 13 shows an installation example of AP cards and devices that arelocated in respective rooms of a limited space such as a hotel orhospital according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, the AP card 311 may be independently located, ormay be mounted to the DTV of each room 310.

In the case of using the above-mentioned embodiment, although a firstdevice (Device #1) of a Room 1 is close to an AP Card #3 of a Room 3, itcommunicates with an AP Card #1 of the Room 1. Similarly, although asecond device (Device #2) of a Room 2 is close to the AP Card #4 of theRoom 4, it communicates with the AP Card #2 of the Room 2. Therefore,respective AP cards may not communicate with devices of other roomswhereas they can communicate with devices of a corresponding physicalspace. That is, according to one embodiment of the present invention,the user of each room may sufficiently receive a communication serviceof a given bandwidth, irrespective of an amount of data used forcommunication with a user of another room.

Further, the network management server may transmit the same or anothercontrol signal to AP cards of individual rooms shown in FIG. 13. As aresult, the DTV to which the AP card of each room is mounted can displaya room interactive service including a variety of services capable ofbeing provided in the hotel, for example, room service, hotelinformation, a reservation service, a check-out information service, anentertainment service, a game service, etc.

Different room interactive services may be provided to individual rooms.Otherwise, only some rooms of the hotel may receive different roominteractive services, or all the rooms of the hotel may receive the sameroom interactive services.

In the meantime, the device 312 located at each room 310 of the hotelmay receive data of a VoIP service, data of a VOD service, or data of anInternet service.

FIG. 14 shows a general middleware platform of a DTV according to therelated art. FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a hospitalitymiddleware platform of a DTV according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. A method for incorporating a conventional DTV into amiddleware platform of the DTV under a hospitality environment such as ahotel or hospital will hereinafter be described with reference to FIGS.3, 14 and 15.

In accordance with the related art shown in FIG. 3( a), respectiveSystem Integration (SI) companies provide hardware-based IP Set TopBoxes (IP STBs).

However, a process for manufacturing each IP STB in the form of ahardware structure requires high costs, has difficulty in improvinginteractivity quality, and is unable to guarantee compatibility.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, according to the related art, each SIcompany has manufactured a unique middleware structure, such that therelated art has a disadvantage in that individual SI companies shouldprovide different IP STBs to the user.

Therefore, the embodiment of the present invention has an objective toincorporate different STBs of individual SI companies into onehospitality middleware platform using a runtime library of themiddleware platform embedded in the DTV under the hospitalityenvironment such as a hotel or hospital.

In addition, the embodiment of the present invention provides a systemthat implements a conventional STB as a software solution, such thatapplications of many SI companies can be easily downloaded in thehospitality middleware platform.

For example, the hospitality middleware platform according to oneembodiment of the present invention adds the hospitality User Interface(UI) & API layer, and divides the hospitality User Interface (UI) & APIlayer into a hospitality system layer and a hospitality API layer. Inaddition, the hospitality middleware platform according to oneembodiment of the present invention has an objective to provide a systemthat can cope with one DTV irrespective of a region covered by anotherbroadcast standard.

In other words, as shown in FIG. 15, the hospitality middleware platformaccording to one embodiment of the present invention may be mounted to,for example, a DTV located in one space among several independent spacesphysically separated from one another. The platform includes a switchinglayer 1000, a flexible DRM layer 2000, and a downloadable engine layer3000. The switching layer 1000 may switch a first layer for processing abroadcast signal based on a broadcast standard of a first region and asecond layer for processing a broadcast signal based on a broadcaststandard of a second region. The flexible DRM layer 2000 may bevoluntarily modified. The downloadable engine layer 3000 is able tovoluntarily program the interactive service application.

The switching layer 1000 consists of a triple switching layer. Forexample, the triple switching layer includes a first switching layer1100, a second switching layer 1200, and a third switching layer 1300.The first switching layer 1100 may switch the SI engine layer and thePSI engine layer. The second switching layer 1200 may switch a DVB-T/Clayer and a VSB/QAM layer. The third switching layer 1300 may switch thehospitality UI layer of the first region and the hospitality UI layer ofthe second region. Further, the first region may be, for example,Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA), and the second region may be, forexample, North America. Therefore, in the case of using the hospitalitymiddleware platform to which the switching layer is added, it ispossible to use the DTV having the hospitality middleware platformirrespective of regions having different broadcast standards.

The flexible DRM layer 2000 may be optionally modified by such SIcompany or the like in consideration of the case wherein individual SIcompanies use different DRM schemes.

The downloadable engine layer 3000 may correspond to a hospitalitysystem layer, and may be a layer that can be programmed by the SIcompany or the like. Since the interactive service application shown inFIG. 14 relates to a UI needed for the guest who uses the hospitalitysystem layer, the hospitality system layer is needed when individual SIcompanies manufacture unique interactive service applications.

In the meantime, the independent spaces physically separated from oneanother correspond to several rooms contained in one hotel. In thiscase, the interactive service application may include an application forprocessing data related to a unique special service of the hotel.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, thehospitality middleware platform may further include a runtime libraryfor voluntarily programming the interactive service application on thedownloadable engine layer. As shown in FIG. 14, the runtime library islocated close to the downloadable engine layer on the hospitalitymiddleware platform. The runtime library may correspond to thehospitality API layer. The hospitality API layer is an API that isdistributed along with the Software Developer's Kit (SDK) so as toprogram the hospitality system layer.

Therefore, the DTV including the hospitality middleware platform shownin FIG. 15 receives a broadcast signal from the management server,processes the received broadcast signal on the hospitality middlewareplatform embedded in the DTV, and outputs A/V data on the basis of theprocessed broadcast signal. As described above, the platform includes aswitching layer, a flexible DRM layer, and a downloadable engine layer.The switching layer may switch a first layer for processing a broadcastsignal based on a broadcast standard of a first region and a secondlayer for processing a broadcast signal based on a broadcast standard ofa second region. The flexible DRM layer may be voluntarily modified. Thedownloadable engine layer is able to voluntarily program the interactiveservice application.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, varioussolutions that have been provided from only the STB are configured inthe form of software, are embedded in the DTV, such that one DTV canseparately cope with all SI systems.

In addition, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,the middleware platform deals with the SI such that the costs formanufacturing the STB and resource consumption required formanufacture/management can be greatly reduced.

In accordance with the aforementioned embodiment of the presentinvention, differences encountered when implementing a DTV for use indifferent regions (e.g., Europe, North America, etc.) having differentbroadcast standards can be solved by software, so that there is no needto manufacture different DTVs or STBs for individual regions.

In the meantime, the product invention and the process invention havebeen disclosed in the present invention, and the product invention maybe complementary to the process invention as necessary.

The method disclosed in the present invention may be implemented in theform of program commands executable by a variety of computer means, andrecorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

The computer-readable recording medium may include program commands,data files, data structures, etc. individually or in combination. Theprogram commands recorded on the medium may be ones specially designedand configured for the present invention or ones known and available tothose skilled in computer software. Examples of the computer-readablerecording medium include magnetic media such as a hard disk, a floppydisk and a magnetic tape, optical media such as a compact disc read onlymemory (CD-ROM) and a digital versatile disc (DVD), magneto-opticalmedia such as a floptical disk, and hardware devices speciallyconfigured to store and execute program commands, such as a ROM, arandom access memory (RAM) and a flash memory. Examples of the programcommands include high-level language codes that may be executed by acomputer using an interpreter, etc., as well as machine language codessuch as those produced by a compiler.

The above-stated hardware devices may be configured to operate as one ormore software modules to perform the operation of the present invention,and vice versa. Although the present invention has been described inconjunction with the limited embodiments and drawings, the presentinvention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions arepossible from this description. Therefore, the scope of the presentinvention should not be limited to the description of the exemplaryembodiments and should be determined by the appended claims and theirequivalents.

As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides atechnology for automatically generating customized service information,and provides the customized service information to a guest who uses ahotel or the like. In addition, the present invention can provide atechnology for providing the customized service information and at thesame time improving security.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, itis intended that the present invention covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. A method for controlling a digital television (DTV) located in oneindependent space among a plurality of independent spaces physicallyseparated from one another, the method comprising: receiving a broadcastsignal from a management server; processing the received broadcastsignal using a hospitality middleware platform embedded in the DTV; andoutputting audio/video (A/V) data on the basis of the processedbroadcast signal, wherein the hospitality middleware platform includes:a switching layer for switching a first layer for processing a broadcastsignal based on a broadcast standard of a first region and a secondlayer for processing a broadcast signal based on a broadcast standard ofa second region; a flexible Digital Rights Management (DRM) layercapable of being voluntarily modified; and a downloadable engine layercapable of voluntarily programming an interactive service application.2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the switching layer includesa triple switching layer, wherein the triple switching layer includes: afirst switching layer for switching a System Integration (SI) enginelayer and a PSI engine layer; a second switching layer for switching aDigital Video Broadcasting DVB-T/C layer and a VestigialSideBand/Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (VSB/QAM) layer; and a thirdswitching layer for switching a hospitality UI layer of the first regionand a hospitality UI layer of the second region.
 3. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the hospitality middleware platform includes aruntime library for voluntarily programming the interactive serviceapplication on the downloadable engine layer, wherein the runtimelibrary is located close to the downloadable engine layer on thehospitality middleware platform.
 4. The method according to claim 1,wherein the independent spaces physically separated from one anothercorrespond to several rooms contained in one hotel.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 4, wherein the interactive service applicationincludes an application for processing data related to a unique specialservice provided from the hotel.
 6. A digital television (DTV) locatedin one independent space among a plurality of independent spacesphysically separated from one another, the digital television (DTV)comprising: a reception module for receiving a broadcast signal from amanagement server; a processing module for processing the receivedbroadcast signal using a hospitality middleware platform embedded in theDTV; and an output module for outputting audio/video (A/V) data on thebasis of the processed broadcast signal, wherein the hospitalitymiddleware platform includes: a switching layer for switching a firstlayer for processing a broadcast signal based on a broadcast standard ofa first region and a second layer for processing a broadcast signalbased on a broadcast standard of a second region; a flexible DigitalRights Management (DRM) layer capable of being voluntarily modified; anda downloadable engine layer capable of voluntarily programming aninteractive service application.
 7. The digital television (DTV)according to claim 6, wherein the switching layer includes a tripleswitching layer, wherein the triple switching layer includes: a firstswitching layer for switching a System Integration (SI) engine layer anda PSI engine layer; a second switching layer for switching a DigitalVideo Broadcasting DVB-T/C layer and a Vestigial SideBand/QuadratureAmplitude Modulation (VSB/QAM) layer; and a third switching layer forswitching a hospitality UI layer of the first region and a hospitalityUI layer of the second region.
 8. The digital television (DTV) accordingto claim 6, wherein the hospitality middleware platform includes aruntime library for voluntarily programming the interactive serviceapplication on the downloadable engine layer, wherein the runtimelibrary is located close to the downloadable engine layer on thehospitality middleware platform.
 9. The digital television (DTV)according to claim 6, wherein the independent spaces physicallyseparated from one another correspond to several rooms contained in onehotel.
 10. The digital television (DTV) according to claim 9, whereinthe interactive service application includes an application forprocessing data related to a unique special service provided from thehotel.